During that time Nicollin still managed to find time for a swipe at the Magpies too!

When United were linked with the star he simply muttered: “Newcastle? They’re not good enough.”

Then went on: “Arsenal? We’ll have to see if Arsène Wenger is interested, given that they have [Robin] Van Persie up front.

“Ten million Euros?

“That’s too much?

“He’s under contract for another two seasons, so someone will have to spend more than that to get his signature, 50 or 60 million Euros at least.

“For money like that, I’d deliver him gift-wrapped.”

So now Newcastle find themselves in a situation where clubs don’t want to miss out on their cut of the Toon’s money.

French clubs know that Newcastle managed to snap up Cabaye for £4.5 million from Lille it what proved to be a bargain by the Les Bleus star.

Gouffran and Sissoko have hardly been bad business either for knockdown fees while Debuchy - who signed for United for around the £5million mark - is regarded as one of the best right-backs in European football.

Little wonder then that Montpellier are trying to squeeze Newcastle for a bigger fee.

They know that United arguably have £19million burning a hole in their pocket from the Cabaye sale.

There’s also the £77million TV money they’ve pocketed and the matter of not making a permanent signing for the last two transfer windows.

But it isn’t just Montpellier who will be holding out for bigger fees.

Lyon are a club Newcastle have also touched base with this summer.

Clement Grenier and Alexandre Lacazette are targets but United will have to hit eight figures if they are to get their men.